Overview
- A European Commission meeting slated for December 10 to advance the auto package has been pushed to early January, according to industry reports.
- Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said Brussels is open to all technologies, citing potential roles for zero‑ and low‑emission fuels and advanced biofuels.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz formally asked for exemptions covering plug‑in hybrids, extended‑range EVs and highly efficient internal‑combustion cars.
- Industry discussions indicate the package could include strict electrification quotas for rental, leasing and company fleets by 2030, a prospect rental firms such as Sixt oppose due to charging gaps and recent losses in EV deployments like Hertz’s 2024 write‑down.
- Volvo and Polestar urged keeping the 2035 phase‑out to protect electrification momentum and competitiveness versus Chinese automakers, while BMW and others advocate technology neutrality and investors at UBS expect a more flexible outcome.